Holiday Cottages Shropshire
From its unique industrial history to the tranquil countryside, Shropshire is full of surprises and offers a delightfully intriguing destination for your next rural retreat. Some of the best holiday cottages in Shropshire capture the character of the county, engulfed in history, surrounded by beautiful scenery and beaming with traditional English charm.
Booking a Shropshire holiday cottage will put you right at the heart of this English gem, the perfect way to discover some of this county’s secrets.
While London prepares for Olympic fever, did you know it is actually sleepy Shropshire which we have to thank for the modern form of this sporting spectacular?
It was the picturesque village of Much Wenlock which hosted what is today hailed as the forerunner of the modern Games when local surgeon William Penny-Brookes, who introduced physical education into British schools, started the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850. So if you want a real slice of Olympic history, forget London, explore the sporting heritage from your holiday cottage in Shropshire instead. You can even enjoy Wenlock’s own annual Olympics every July.
As well as sporting history, Shropshire was also at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. The first large scale production of cast iron was pioneered at Coalbrookdale where items were made and shipped around the world, while the world’s first cast iron bridge was built across the River Severn in 1779, so renowned that it would later lend its name to the small town of Ironbridge, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its place in modern history. The striking town nestles in the dramatic surroundings of the River Severn Gorge and attracts tourist from around the world to marvel at the feats of engineering as well as enjoy the charming tea rooms, traditional shops, bars, restaurants and fascinating museums that nestle along the banks of the river.
Despite its industrial heritage, Ironbridge and Shropshire as a whole has retained its natural beauty, the wildlife and unique geology meaning there is plenty for nature-lovers, walkers and cyclists to explore. Charming villages are nestled in the undulating landscape, while the Wrekin hill provides a local landmark and fantastic vantage point to survey the surrounding scenery. The county continues to innovate as well, not least when it comes to food. The historic market town of Ludlow, which already boasts an imposing castle, Georgian black and white buildings and striking churches, has now established itself as the gastronomic capital of the Midlands with a seemingly endless supply of speciality food shops, locally grown produce and gourmet restaurants.
So whether you’re a true foodie, a history buff, wildlife lover or sports nut, you’ll find plenty to amaze you in Shropshire. But above all, whatever you’re looking for in your countryside break, holiday cottages in Shropshire offer you the chance to revel in one of the most tranquil, beautiful and surprising corners of England.
